Leave to appear

Leave to appear as a party to the proceedings

Many people have an interest in the issues covered by the Inquiry’s terms of reference, and they will be particularly interested in its hearings and conclusions.

Some people will also have relevant information that could be given to the Inquiry in the hearing process as a witness.

There is a smaller group about whom there may be findings or recommendations that are adverse to their interests in an individual, direct and immediate way. Individuals or entities in that group have been permitted to apply to appear as parties at the Inquiry’s hearings so as to afford them an opportunity to test and challenge the evidence against them. Leave to appear as a party at hearings is only one way in which this opportunity may be given. The individual or entity may be given the opportunity to respond to findings or recommendations in writing directly to the Inquiry.

Having leave to appear as a party is different from making submissions to the Inquiry or being called to appear as a witness in a public hearing.

Applications for leave to appear

At its first hearing (PDF, 97.5 KB) on 10 February 2011, the Commission invited applications for leave to appear as a party at the Inquiry. Applications were to be received by 28 February.

Where leave to appear as a party was not given, the Commission endeavoured to liaise with the individual or organisation concerned to find out what they had to say about their experiences, their concerns and what steps might be taken for the future. Some applicants chose to make submissions to the Inquiry or expressed their willingness to appear as witnesses in the hearings, rather than as parties.